OC Limbazi held off a spirited challenge from RBS Riga Juniors to claim an 87-81 victory in the Latvia NBL on 3 October 2026. The home side led for much of the contest but had to survive a late surge from the young Riga outfit, eventually sealing the win with composed free-throw shooting in the final minute.

A Hard-Fought Home Win in Limbazi

Played at the Limbazi Sports Centre, the game pitted the experience of OC Limbazi against the youthful energy of RBS Riga Juniors. The visitors, a development side known for their up-tempo style, started brightly and knocked down three early triples to take a surprise 12-7 lead. OC Limbazi responded with a steady half-court offence, feeding the ball inside and drawing fouls to chip away at the deficit. By the end of the first quarter, the hosts had edged ahead 23-21.

The second quarter followed a similar pattern: RBS Riga Juniors used their speed to push the pace, while OC Limbazi relied on their physicality and rebounding. A 9-2 run midway through the period gave Limbazi a 38-30 cushion, but the juniors answered with back-to-back fast-break layups. At halftime, the score stood at 44-40 in favour of the home team.

Key Moments That Decided the Game

The third quarter proved decisive. OC Limbazi opened with a 10-0 run, capped by a corner three from shooting guard Kristaps Ozols, to stretch the lead to 54-40. RBS Riga Juniors called timeout and responded with a 7-0 burst of their own, but Limbazi’s defence tightened, forcing several turnovers that led to easy points at the other end. Going into the final period, the scoreboard read 67-56.

RBS Riga Juniors refused to fade away. Led by point guard Artūrs Bērziņš, they hit four three-pointers in the fourth quarter and cut the gap to 82-79 with just over a minute remaining. However, OC Limbazi’s veteran forward Rihards Strautiņš calmly sank four free throws in the closing seconds, and a crucial offensive rebound by centre Jānis Krūmiņš denied the visitors one last possession. The final buzzer confirmed an 87-81 win for the home side.

Standout Players and Statistics

OC Limbazi were powered by a balanced scoring effort. Kristaps Ozols finished with a team-high 22 points, including four three-pointers, while Rihards Strautiņš added 18 points and 9 rebounds. Jānis Krūmiņš dominated the paint with 14 points and 12 rebounds, and point guard Mārtiņš Liepa orchestrated the offence with 9 assists.

For RBS Riga Juniors, Artūrs Bērziņš was the standout with 24 points and 6 assists, repeatedly breaking down the Limbazi defence with his speed. Forward Emīls Kalniņš contributed 16 points and 7 rebounds, while Roberts Vītols chipped in 13 points off the bench. The juniors shot 11-of-28 from beyond the arc but were undone by 17 turnovers and a 32-24 deficit on the boards.

Tactical Story: Experience Over Youth

The contrast in styles was clear throughout. OC Limbazi, a more seasoned roster, prioritised half-court execution, post touches, and offensive rebounding. They scored 40 points in the paint and attempted 28 free throws, consistently putting pressure on the younger RBS defenders. Defensively, Limbazi mixed man-to-man and a 2-3 zone to disrupt RBS’s rhythm, particularly in the third quarter when the game turned.

RBS Riga Juniors, meanwhile, thrived in transition and from the perimeter. Their ball movement was sharp, and they used ball screens to free up shooters. But their inability to contain Limbazi’s inside game and a cold stretch in the third quarter proved costly. The loss is a valuable learning experience for a junior side competing against older, more physical opponents in the Latvia NBL.

Season Impact and What’s Next

With the win, OC Limbazi improve their early-season record and strengthen their position in the Latvia NBL standings. The victory also extends their strong home form, having now won their last four games in Limbazi. For RBS Riga Juniors, the defeat leaves them searching for consistency, though their competitive performance against a senior team will boost confidence.

OC Limbazi will look to carry this momentum into their next fixture, where they face another tough road test. RBS Riga Juniors return to Riga for a home game, hoping to convert their promising spells into a full four-quarter performance. Both teams will meet again later in the season, and if this encounter is anything to go by, it will be another entertaining battle between experience and youth.

• Final Score: OC Limbazi 87 – 81 RBS Riga Juniors
• Top Scorer (OC Limbazi): Kristaps Ozols – 22 points
• Top Scorer (RBS Riga Juniors): Artūrs Bērziņš – 24 points
• Rebound